Square Kirk plates

[JohnMWright]

Just a random bit of trivia...

 

I've been using generic Arca-Swiss type square camera body plates with a lip,

model PZ-31 from Kirk photo. They fit every camera I've tried so far (including

Minolta SRT-101 and XD-11, Canon 10d and 20d). I did have to file a little metal

off the lip to get it to fit my Minolta SRT-101 (I could not load or unload the

film with the plate attached until I lowered the height of the lip), but

otherwise zero problems.

 

I like the square plates because I can orient the tightening knob on the

ballhead out to the side, rather than back into my face. For the short bodies

I've used to date, this is a good thing. ;-)

 

To point out the obvious... I do use lens plates on all of my heavier lenses

with tripod collars, I only use the camera body plates with smaller, lighter

lenses (missing tripod collars) attached.

[frank uhlig]

The square plates are rather short (turned either way) for weighty cameras and do not hold as well as long ones in the (longer) clamps.

 

Rather than poking your eyes/nose/teeths out with the knob in your face, i would get a camera-dedicated longer Arca Swiss body plate and tighten it with the knob in front of the camera body. How about that?

[JohnMWright]

Well, I've never had any problem with the clamp holding these plates, and I did try the knob in front but I find it too cramped (the knob is too close to the lens) for comfort.

[kevin conville]

RRS makes a square plate (B9) that I've used on Pentax ME and MX and Contax G2. I know

it'll fit quite a few others as well. I also like the square plates for most cameras for the

reason you mention.